Hi! My name is Valery. I am from Russia. I have finished Moscow State University, philological faculty, and I know English a little. It has always been very interesting for me to know how women abroad live: what makes them feel pleased and happy, and what makes them sad and upset.
For rather a long time we had lived “behind the Iron Curtain” and knew absolutely nothing about each other. Nowadays the curtain has been raised, so we can travel, watch news, different shows, but we still know very little about each other. However, it seems to me, that if we knew about each other more, we could understand, respect and love each other better, so we could live more peacefully… I think I should get started with myself. And later on I’ll tell you about other Russian women: business-ladies and housewives, rich and not so well-financially-secured, married, split up and divorced. Of course, we are all very different, but we have something in common as well. I’d be very glad, if you would send me your questions. It would be easier for me to tell if I know for sure what exactly you are interested in. Perhaps, you could join me and send stories about yourself. Please, do! It would be great!..

I will tell you about Russian women: teachers, doctors, sellers, housewives. I will tell you what they eat, what clothes wear, what salaries receive, what they plant in summer in their summer residence and of what they dream.

FOUR PERSONS

Once travelling about Czech Republic , Prague, my sister and me decided to taste famous czech beer. A small restaurant seemed nice, cozy, and not overcrowded. So in we came. A handsome waitor greeted us warmly.
- Come in, please! What would you like? – he asked.
- Hello! It’s our first visit here, in Prague. We would like to taste good Czech beer. Could you recommend something to us, please?
- Oh, yes, sure! – said the smiling waiter, and gave us a menu. Would you like it light or dark? Dark usually contains more alcohol, – he explained.
- Then certainly we want light.
The waiter named the beer, and I seeked for it in the menu.
- But it’s strong, it contains… - I started, showing the line.
- Yes, - the waiter interrupted me. This is dark. What I recommend you is not on the menu now. But if you like, I’ll bring you this beer, it’s light, and really very good.
- Ok, - said I. – beer and risotto then.
- So, - summed up the waiter. – it will be risotto, and two beers, light. Right?.. for 4 persons, – he added after a pause.
My gesture of confirmation froze in the air.

Money from Pharaoh's guards

Russians love Egypt, and always did. They often choose to have a holiday in Egypt. Beautiful sea, wonderful sun, but Russians seem to love Egyptian culture as well. Many Russian women got married with Egyptian men and live happily under the African sun. There are even whole ” Russian towns” in Hurghada. But not only Egyptian nature, Egyptian style is presented in Russian culture as well.
In architecture of St.-Petersburg "the Egyptian style" is one of the defining and most mysterious attributes of a city on Neva, sphinxes on University quay became long ago one of the basic symbols of the city. These lions and griffins seem to be very important for female residents and tourists of Petersburg. They often come to pat the griffins and ask them for… money! There is a popular belief, that they can help, if you ask them. And Russians are so superstitious sometimes!

In Russia May 9 is the day of triumph and gratitude to those who won the worst war – World War II of 1941-1945. This is a day of memory, a day of mourning. This is a special holiday for the country. Almost 60% of Russians lost their kith and kin in the war. Every fifth family had to leave its home. It is no surprise that today people remember the war years – relatives were killed or injured in 88% of families.
Recently, the St George Ribbon campaign has become a symbol of people’s memory about its heroic past. Now, on the eve of Victory Day, people attach ribbons with black and orange stripes to their car antennas, jackets, rucksacks, or beds in hospitals for veterans.

I lay on my bed legs stretched out, my laptop rested on my knees and I was typing out a letter. Half asleep, suddenly I felt something was wrong, quickly I lifted my blanket and realized I was wet! Right away I saw this damp circle on the bed, and my pajamas are wet as well! Quickly I covered myself with my blanket! Thank god no one can see me right now! Though, staying in my bed with this wet spot is rather disgusting! I must do something immediately!
I jumped out of bed and took off my wet pajamas quickly! Then I removed the blankets and sheets and rushed to the bathroom. I dropped those wet blankets and clothes into the laundry basket, and then I realized that I am naked. Immediately I go to my dresser and get another set of pajamas and put them on. Relieved I laid back in bed, but not even a few moments later I realize my ass is wet yet again!.. ( Sam's version )

We shall live in peace some day!

Russians often say - they live a cat and a dog life, an endless feud. But are cats and dogs always 'foes'? Isn't mutual affection possible?
A cat is usually a dominant towards a dog (and sometimes even a human). But if the hierarchy was reversed, a large sized dog may do harm, since running cat is an involuntary stimulus to chase it.
But if the dog wags the tail and by typical postures invites the cat to play, you may be sure, the dog is in sympathize with cat. The cat may display its' sympathies with the dog by biting the dog's tail or using it to sharpen claws. Cats adore warmth and quickly grasp that a dog is a living "heating pad", therefore they often lie beside the dog or even on the dog. Animals that got used to each other take care of their "friend": wash, clean ears, and sleep together.

So look now how peacefully can Russians live!

Easter ( Paskha ) in Russia is one of the greatest festivals, which is celebrated nearly by everyone in the country now, no matter if they are deep believers or atheists. It is a national custom. All Russian families ( with and without kids) always paint eggs and bake (or buy at the baker’s ) kulich, a special Easter cake.
Each household brings an Easter basket to church, filled with Easter eggs and other Paschal foods such as paskha, kulich or Easter breads, and these are blessed by the priest as well. The blessing is completed by a triple sprinkling with holy water using the words, "This is blessed by the sprinkling of this holy water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The Paschal greeting is another Easter custom among Orthodox Christians. Instead of "hello" or its equivalent, one is to greet another person with "Christ is Risen!", and the response is "Truly, He is Risen". In Russia it is also customary to exchange a triple kiss on the alternating cheeks after the greeting. During Paschaltide people also bring blessed eggs to the cemetery and bring the joyous paschal greeting, "Christ has risen", to their beloved departed.
The egg tapping game or egg fight is a traditional Easter game on Easter morning. The rule is very simple: to hold a hard-boiled egg and tap eggs of other participants to break them, but to keep your own undamaged. The winner is the holder of the last intact egg. The losers get to eat their eggs. The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth of man at Easter. Christians in Slavic countries have a similar custom and may believe that the winner of the egg tapping contest will have the most health until the next Easter. The first painted, red egg may be preserved until the next year as a token of luck and good health.

Russians, speaking English

...I saw two nice sound guys in a uniform approaching the desk. I hurried up to them and asked them to see my documents. They were very much surprised and said that perhaps I was mistaken. But I insisted: “No, no! Surely, I’m not! The person, who accompanied our group, told me to wait for an officer here.” They got even more surprised, listening to me and examining my funny plaits and my slim figure in a trendy short skirt, open T-shirt and pink leggins, from head to toes. After awhile changing glances with his colleague the officer repeated: “I think you’d better speak to anybody else at any other desk” “No, no!” I kept saying: “ I need you!..

There are no Russians, who are not fond of traditional winter pastime of northern countries - skiing, ice skating, playing snowballs, making snowmen, and especially sledging. Tubing is also very popular among Russians now, but still sledging is the most exciting! Sledging downhills, on open sledge, or a special thing, called 'ledyanka' - a thin board, put under the back. Everyone likes sledging in Russia, both kids and adults. In big parks in Russia one can always find ice areas for skating, and covered with ice hills, where Russians can sledge.